Wednesday May 7, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Just seven days after the massive defeat of most NDP candidates in the April 28 federal election — the New Democratic Party of Canada’s Federal Council, in consultation with the NDP caucus, selected Don Davies to serve as the Leader of Canada’s NDP for an interim period.
Don Davies replaces former NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh who announced his resignation on election night.
That announcement came on Monday evening, May 5.
About Don Davies:
Davies is the incumbent MP-elect for Vancouver-Kingsway (first elected in that riding in 2008, re-elected 2011, 2015, 2019, 2021 and now 2025).
Davies and his family moved from Alberta to Vancouver in 1991. In 1992, he became the director of legal services for Teamsters Canada (Local 31), a position he held until his election to the House of Commons in 2008
Davies led the NDP negotiations with the Liberal government to advance dental care and pharmacare legislation while serving as health critic in the last session of Parliament.
“Davies will work closely with our caucus, council, and party members to set a path forward as preparations begin for a leadership race in the months ahead,” the party stated.
“New Democrats remain united in our mission to deliver for people across the country,” said President Mary Shortall.
“While the recent election results were not what we hoped for, our commitment to building a better Canada has never been stronger. With a renewed sense of purpose, we will hold the government to account and keep fighting for the issues we heard about on doorsteps across the country – public health care, affordable homes, good jobs, and making the ultra-rich finally pay their fair share,” said Shortall.
Alistair MacGregor, former MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, said in social media: “Congratulations to Don Davies on being named as interim leader of the NDP There’s a lot of rebuilding to do in the weeks and months ahead, but I know Don has the capabilities and experience to get our party on that path.”
BC Premier David Eby endorsed Davies during the federal election campaign.
Former NDP MP and NDP MLA Nathan Cullen said in social media: “After some incredibly tough losses in the last campaign, excellent decision by the NDP is the right step in the rebuild. Don & the caucus will be focused & united to pave the way for a new leader.”
BC Federation of Labour President Sussanne Skidmore posted in social media: “Our deep thanks to Don Davies for taking on the pivotal role of interim leader of the NDP in this critical moment. It’s vital that working people have a strong, clear voice in Parliament — and Don’s just the person to ensure we have one.”
NDP deals with adaptation:
The NDP has become a party of ‘conscience’ in the Canadian electoral system. It was more of a temporary anomaly that Jack Layton brought the party to Official Opposition status in 2011, based more on his personality and also a sympathy vote for the man who had cancer at the time of his election campaign.
In Canada’s first-past-the-post system it’s the parties that show a penchant for governance and fiscal management that continue to lead and trade-off as government, i.e. the Liberals and the Conservatives.
They may have traded off their distinctiveness by doing a Supply and Confidence Agreement with the Trudeau Liberal government but the the benefits to Canadians are arguably significant.
The NDP may have done better in the 2025 election if the ‘Trump factor’ had not been the dominant wild card, but also if they had articulated their functional commitment to protecting and developing social programs.
The NDP has never been very good at beating their own drum as to the quality of these successes for Canadians. A revision of communications strategy (including a balance of how much influence party policy folks have versus the political leadership) is probably needed as they rebuild the party.
Being a solid choice for Canadians as the party that makes good social policy is probably the adaptation that the NDP needs to do quickly now under Davies’ leadership this year.
45th Parliament:
MPs will be in the House of Commons for the 45th Parliamentary session that starts on May 26.
The NDP have seven seats in the 343-seat 45th Parliament, down from the 25 that were elected in 2021.
The Liberals currently stand at 169 seats (just three short of a majority) while the Conservatives increased their seat count to 144 and the Bloc have 22 seats and the Green Party one.
Singh moves on:
Jagmeet Singh, now 46, was brought into the party’s leadership sphere in 2017 by now retired NDP MP Randall Garrison (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke), who at the time was impressed with Singh’s vision and integrity to work for the betterment of people in Canadian society.
“Jagmeet Singh led the party with courage, compassion, and a clear commitment to improving life for working people,” said the NDP in a news release on Monday evening.
“Under his leadership, millions of Canadians gained access to child care and dental care, and millions more now receive free diabetes medication and birth control. His legacy has and will continue to change lives and be felt for generations,” the party said.
In fact, that statement of accomplishment has been heralded by many in politics and media. It is a legacy Singh can stand on and that Canadians will benefit from in many ways.
Singh had a way of understanding sociopolitical needs of this country in a way not seen since Jack Layton. Be he never seemed entirely comfortable in the role of national party leadership — which is probably more a statement about the first-past-the-post electoral system than about the man himself.
As a successful lawyer and his wife in the fashion industry, as a family they are likely to move back into commercial circles while keeping a toe in the realm of public service.
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: CANADA-NATIONAL | CANADA-USA | CANADIAN FEDERAL ELECTION 2025 | FEDERAL NDP